‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎49r] (102/246)

Telegram P., No 16920-Cipher, dated 22nd May 1916.
(Despatched 3-40 p.m., received 2 a.m., 23rd May 1916.)
From—The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Poliowing is from Ma^h. Begins.
It is stated by prisoners of the 23rd Begiment who on May 10th were cap
tured at Mush that the 22nd Begiment is in the Baghdad area, and the 23rd
and 24th Begiments had arrived in the Mush area. The Persian Expeditionary
Porce is in receipt of this information. Ends.
We presume you have received the Commander-in-Chief in India’s
No. 54986, with which we are in agreement.
Addressed Basrah, repeated Egypt and India.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. 0.1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. 16907-Cipher M. I., dated 22nd May 1916. APPENDIX 312
(Despatched 5-35 p.m., received 4 a.m., 23rd May 1916.) Bo. 55394)
From—The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Eollowing from Marsh and reference our 16675.
It is said that Turkish counter-attack was commanded by Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . On
May 18th left column occupied the pass near Simach, north-west of Bane.
Enemy comprised of miscellaneous irregulars and commanded by Omar Nedji
Bey. 10th Corps is now commanded by Yusuf Izzet Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .
Addressed Basrah, repeated India and Egypt.
APPENDIX 311
{£>/,. No. 55391)
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S, (M. 0. 1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. I. G.-2857, dated 22nd May 1916. APPENDIX 313
(Despatched 5-40 p.m., received 2 a.m., 93rd May 1916.) {By. No. 55401)
From- -The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D, ” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
With reference to my I G.-2412 of April 5th ( Vy. No* 47111). I think
you are aware that Captain Lawrence was recently deputed here temporarily
in connection with certain projects, the A rab Bureau being one of these. It
would appear from conversations held with him that a somewhat erroneous
impression of the objects and status of the Arab Bureau, which had been regard
ed by us mainly as a War Measure, has been given us by the fact that the ( ? )
have been retained in the hands of the Director, Military Intelligence. In view
of the modified aspect in which Lawrence presents the institution I propose
that Miss Gertrude Bell and not Major Blake should act as corresponding
officer for Mesopotamia. With this object in view, if there is no objection, I
contemplate giving her definite official status by Eorce Boutine Order,
placing her services at the disposal of Cox and granting her a fixed monthly
allowance for them. The opinion is held by Lawrence and Cox, who discussed
the suggestion, that Miss Bell is well qualified for the task, and the assumption
of duties by her would be agreeable to ourselves and also to Cairo.
I trust the Government of India will concur in the arrangement, with
which she herself is completely prepared, primd facie, to fall in.
The above is repeated to G. O. C„ Egypt, and C. G. S., Simla, being
addressed to Foreign, Simla.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. 0. 1, M. O. 2).
Telegram P., No. 129-440-0., dated 22nd May 1916. APPENDIX 31 .
(Despatched 1 a.m., received 8-80 a.m., 23rd May 1916.) (Dy. No. 55425)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
May 22nd, Tigris Line.